How to Use Garlic to Promote Hair Growth (Research Based)

Hair loss is a problem that many people suffer from. For men, it is often associated with simply growing older and having a genetic predisposition toward male pattern baldness. For women, it can be another matter altogether, and it is important to tackle the root of the problem – read more about it in my article about 10 causes of hair loss and how to treat them.

I’ve discussed a number of natural treatments to promote hair growth such as onion for hair growth, castor oil and rosemary. In this article I want to show you how to use garlic to fight hair loss.

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Garlic and Hair Growth – The Research

A 2007 study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology and performed by dermatological researchers from Iran’s Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences found that topical application of 5% garlic gel to areas where hair loss had taken place led to hair regrowth in the previously bald areas of the scalp, reduction in size of bald patches, and higher hair count numbers.

The sulfur and selenium contained within garlic can help fortify the structure of the hair shaft, meaning it can not only help to replenish lost hair, but can strengthen existing hair as well. The vitamins and minerals that each clove of garlic is imbued with can also naturally condition your hair while adding strength.

How to Use Garlic for Hair Growth (Garlic Hair Treatment)

So, how can you put garlic to work for your own hair loss? Although eating garlic in food is healthy in a variety of ways, you will want to use garlic juice or garlic oil as a topical treatment in the form of a salve in order to harness the power of garlic for hair loss and hair replenishment. Here’s how to do it:

Garlic Juice and Honey for Hair Growth

Extract the juice from a small head of garlic or about eight cloves. Do this by peeling each clove and using a garlic press to squeeze the juice from each clove. This should yield about one tablespoon of garlic juice. Blend this juice with an equal amount of honey (which also has amazing health benefits). Apply this salve to your scalp and hair and leave it on for 60 minutes before rinsing out. This should be done twice daily as per the above research.

Note: Pure garlic juice can be irritating to the skin when used alone, as it packs a powerful punch. For this reason, it is important to mix garlic juice with other ingredients to reduce the chances of skin irritation on the scalp.

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Garlic Juice and Coconut Oil to Fight Hair Loss

Another healthy hair salve can be made by mixing equal parts of garlic juice and coconut oil.

Extract the juice from a small head of garlic using the method described above and mix the juice with a tablespoon of coconut oil (slightly warm the coconut oil by placing it in a bowl filled with warm water).

Then massage the mixture into the scalp and hair and leave it on for 60 minutes before rinsing it out. This should be done twice daily as per the above research.

Garlic Oil for Hair

Note: Garlic oil is different from garlic essential oil! So don’t confuse between the two. Garlic essential oil is extremely powerful and can cause extreme skin irritation if used as a hair salve and if not properly diluted. Please use garlic-infused oil and NOT garlic essential oil when treating your scalp.

Garlic-infused oil can be used as a growth-promoting hair salve. Apply one tablespoon of garlic oil to your scalp and massage thoroughly, leave it on for 20 minutes or more and then rinse the oil out. This can be done two to three times per week or more often if you want.

How to Make Garlic Oil to Promote Hair Growth

You can easily make your own garlic-infused oil at home. Here’s how to do it:

Method 1: Simple Garlic Infusion for Hair

Nothing could be easier than this recipe for garlic oil—simply peel and mince garlic, then soak the garlic in warm (not hot) olive oil.

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Use one tablespoon of olive oil per clove of garlic, and allow the mixture to steep for one to two weeks in the refrigerator before using.

Strain the minced garlic from the oil and use the oil as outlined above.

Be sure to store the oil in a dark glass container in the refrigerator in order to extend its life span and prevent spoiling.

Method 2: Garlic Infusion + Essential Oils for Hair Growth

This infusion contains more ingredients than the other method, but it offers a multi-faceted approach with an array of benefits due to the extra hair-friendly ingredients. You will need the following:

Mix the garlic infused oil with the remaining ingredients and shake well. Store in the refrigerator to keep the oil from spoiling.

Garlic for Hair Growth – Frequently Asked Questions

How much time does it take to see results when using the garlic hair treatment?

It takes a while before noticing results – as much as 3 months. According to the research about garlic gel for hair growth, after three months, hair re-growth was seen in 95% of the participants. There was also improvement after the first month but the best hair growth results were after 3 months of continuous usage of the garlic.

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How much time should I leave the garlic on my scalp to encourage hair growth?

In the experiment, the participants left the 5% garlic gel for one hour on their scalp twice daily.

Does the garlic treatment really work for fighting hair loss?

According to the research, 95% of the participants had hair regrowth by using the 5% garlic ointment twice daily on their scalp for three months. The research was also randomized and double blind study. Randomized controlled trials are the gold standard of scientific testing for new medical interventions.

Can I use dried garlic powder for hair growth instead of fresh garlic?

Only fresh garlic extract has been used in the research so dried garlic powder is not recommended.

Can I mix the garlic with onion juice to boost hair growth even more?

Applying onion juice just by itself to your scalp was shown to fight hair loss and I wrote about it in my article on how to use onion juice for hair growth. But I couldn’t find any research about the combination of onion juice and garlic for hair loss so I cannot tell what would be the result. You can give it a try and see if it makes things better.

After applying the garlic juice I am feeling more hair loss – should I stop applying the juice?

I believe you’ve lost hair during massaging the scalp. I don’t believe you’ve lost the hair because of applying the garlic treatment. Too much massaging, unlike gentle massage, may cause hair loss. Massaging the scalp should boost up the blood circulation and help hair growth. Follow the garlic juice application with a gentle massage for a few weeks to see if you notice any improvement. If you don’t see any improvement, discontinue with the treatment.

I don’t like the smell of the garlic – what can I do?

If you really don’t like the smell, try some of the other natural treatments for hair growth – have a look at the next section of this article.

Grey hair is caused by copper deficiency. Lack of good mineralization in the body from eating non processed foods and not enough fresh organic fruits and vegetables. I grow Organic Garlic in Australia. It is the strongest smelling Garlic you will find anywhere!!

When trying home remedies it usually takes several months to notice any result, so patience is required. Also not all remedies work for everyone and results vary between different people. There are several other methods that are mentioned at the end of the article, but I think the first step is to try and find if there is any underlying reason for the hair loss – is it hormonal issue, extreme stress, nutritional deficiency or something else (seem ore in my article about 10 reasons for hair loss).

I agree with this article, it really helps my hair. I mix onion, ginger and garlic (and I add small amount of water because I use blender) and use olive oil as my leave in treatment… It works so awesome on me
I will try the rosemary too.. Thank you for the post

From what I’ve read in medical sites, most hair follicles remain alive and are ready to resume normal hair production whenever they receive the appropriate signal. I also read that hair regrowth may occur even without treatment and even after many years. You can try some of the methods mentioned in my article about regrowing hair faster naturally, but I cannot promise that you will see improvement. Every person is different, and results vary between different people. Some people will find them helpful to some degree, while for others they will not do the job, so experimenting is the best way. Also results take time and it’s not a quick fix, so patience is required.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to use garlic EO because it is very strong and can irritate the skin so you have to be very careful when using it. If however you want to experiment with it, use a very small amount – 2 drops of garlic essential oils in 1 ounce of carrier oil (shake well every single time). I would not apply it straight away on the scalp, but do a small patch test first to make sure you don’t develop any skin irritation. also don’t leave it for too long on the skin. You have to be very careful when using it.

You can try to combine the two. I don’t know how effective is it in your case as every person is different, and results may vary. It’s always a good idea to do a small skin test first to make sure you don’t develop any skin irritations.

Hi,jenny I want to share wid u that I m suffering fthrom baldness.i hv done so many home as well as other treatments .pls tell me effective methods for baldness and increasing thickness of hair.pls reply me soon.

Hi Priya, I guess the first step should be to identify the cause of the problem: is the hair loss a result of hormonal issue, extreme stress, nutritional deficiencies or something else? You can read more about it in my article about 10 Causes of Hair Loss. The second step is to try some of the methods to encourage hair growth. These are summarized in my article about How To Make Your Hair Grow Faster: The Best Natural Ways. These methods are not a quick fix, and patience is required. It may take several months before noticing any improvement, and results vary between different people.

My hair started falling out when i was 35 after giving birth to my only child, 5 years later i turned 40 and started menopause ,then started with hair loss , hair loss in the crown area of my head. I Went to a specialist and all she said was it may be hereditary .
I have tried many things , now i’m researching how to wake up my hair follicles .

I just used this remedy for my hair and scalp this past weekend. I was shocked to notice how much less hair loss and shedding I had with just one rinse. Incredible! Thanks for this article. I think I will do it again this weekend just so I can maximize my results!

Never use raw garlic on the skin as it can burn and irritate the skin. Always dilute it as suggested in the article. According to the study mentioned in the article, the participants left the garlic application for one hour twice daily for three months. Please note that even in the study the participants used garlic gel 5% and not undiluted garlic.

Regrowing hair is not a quick fix, and patience is required. Even commercial applications such as Minoxidil require several months until you notice a change. You must also remember that results vary between different people so there is no guarantee for success.

Hello!
Found your article fascinating. Would like to use you Methods two; Garlic Infused oil and Essential Oils. But I have one question: is this methods to use twice a week for 20 or 60 minutes on dry hair before or after washing your hair?

To encourage hair growth you will need to use it more than twice a week if you can (please note that in the research mentioned in the article the participants applied it twice daily for three months). You don’t have to wash your hair before applying the mixture, although some people find that applying it on damp hair is easier. You will need to wash your hair afterwards as the garlic has a very potent smell and the oil will leave your scalp and hair very greasy. For other natural methods to encourage hair growth please click HERE.